Chapter 312: Good for You, Gu Youniu

"Everyone, look at who this is."

Li Ya held up a photograph, displayed it in a circle, and asked in a resonant voice.

"Station Chief, Director Lu, take a closer look." He placed the photo on the interrogation table.

Wu Jingzhong glanced at the photo, then at Wang Cuiping, frowned slightly, and passed it to Lu Qiaoshan.

"Qiaoshan, you take a look."

Lu Qiaoshan examined it back and forth several times, then turned to the side and said in a low voice: "Station Chief, it's not just a resemblance; this is definitely the same person."

He gestured with his chin toward Yu Zecheng and Hong Zhiyou:

"You two take a look as well."

Hong Zhiyou stood up, took the photo, glanced at it, and handed it to Yu Zecheng.

"Well?"

"People can be disguised, but photographs cannot be faked."

"This is a Border Defense military uniform."

"Furthermore, I don't think anyone—and there wouldn't be anyone—who would force Mrs. Yu to put on this military uniform just to take a picture of her."

Li Ya raised his voice an octave and asked proudly.

"Photographs can't be faked, that point is sound." Lu Qiaoshan cooperated with Li Ya for once.

The photo of Okamura shaking hands with Li Ya was, after all, a "truth" he had concocted himself.

"What are you trying to say?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"Mrs. Yu, is the person in the photo you?" Li Ya walked up to Wang Cuiping and secretly dug a pit.

"No," Wang Cuiping said.

"Not you."

"Fine."

"Then let me tell everyone: this person is named Chen Qiuping, and she is Mrs. Yu's younger sister."

Li Ya said.

"I do have a younger sister."

"But we got separated a long time ago. Her name is Wang Juxiang, not Qiuping."

Wang Cuiping said.

"Juxiang, Qiuping—they both have something to do with 'autumn'."

"Mrs. Yu, why don't you stop pretending?"

"Your name isn't Wang Cuiping at all; your name is Chen Taohua."

"You are the Mobile Corps Commander captain from the Red Ticket Yixian."

Li Ya said with conviction.

"Captain Li, let's set aside the person in the photo for a moment; how did Mrs. Yu suddenly become Chen Taohua and a Mobile Corps Commander captain?"

"Do you have proof?"

"Don't try to bring up Qiao Sanmei and Duan Gui to me; the Station Chief and I handled their cases, and the factual evidence was unclear."

"Digging up old accounts is just a waste of breath."

Lu Qiaoshan folded his hands over his crossed legs and reminded him with a relaxed demeanor.

"If I can prove that the person in this photo is Chen Qiuping."

"Doesn't that prove that someone replaced Chen Qiuping to come to Jinhai to carry out an infiltration mission?"

"Likewise, doesn't that prove that the person in the photo is Wang Cuiping's sister?"

Li Ya asked.

"Judging solely by appearance, the possibility of them being sisters does exist."

"Otherwise, it doesn't make sense."

"They are practically cut from the same mold."

Lu Qiaoshan looked at the Station Chief and said in a low voice.

He actually harbored a bit of selfishness.

In any case, Li Ya's evidence was already in his own hands.

If he could use Li Ya to take down Yu Zecheng.

He would have no more competitors at the Jinhai Station.

"Li Ya, you say the person in the photo is Chen Qiuping, a clerk in the Sixth Section of Border Defense; do you have evidence?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"I do."

"The two documents from earlier are one part."

"Secondly, I went to Xi'an a few days ago and found a witness."

"This person is the Gu Youniu mentioned in the intelligence."

"He was once Chen Qiuping's groom, witnessed her falling into a valley with his own eyes, and attended Chen Qiuping's memorial service."

"He can be said to be the most favorable witness."

Li Ya said.

As he spoke, he snapped his fingers at the agent at the door.

Someone immediately brought Gu Youniu in.

Seeing Gu Youniu, Wang Cuiping's heart tightened, and she swallowed hard.

Damn it.

She had seen this man before.

There were several layers of organizational distance between Border Defense and the county brigade; when she was wandering in the mountains fighting the devils in the past, she never had the chance to see her little sister.

In December of '44, her little sister had someone deliver a letter to her.

The person who delivered the letter at that time was this man.

She had even treated Gu Youniu to flatbread and noodle porridge and chatted about her sister.

That's right, it was this man.

Even if he were turned to ash, Wang Cuiping would never forget this honest, flatbread-like face.

Once this man confessed.

She would be in danger.

Gu Youniu walked in with his head drooping, trembling with fear.

Yu Zecheng keenly noticed Wang Cuiping's subtle abnormality.

He cursed inwardly that things were bad.

This was an extremely dangerous person.

A dense layer of cold sweat seeped from his palms and back.

"Mrs. Yu, you seem a bit nervous."

"Baoxing, pour her a glass of water."

Li Ya shook his head and smiled faintly.

Lu Baoxing poured the water, but Wang Cuiping did not drink it.

"Speak, what is your identity?" Wu Jingzhong said.

"I am called Gu... Gu Youniu, and I am from Wangfanling Village in Shaanxi," Gu Youniu said.

"Where did you get him?" Wu Jingzhong asked again.

"When Hu Zongnan captured Yancheng, he took many prisoners of war and civilians from there; this man is one of those prisoners."

"I pulled him out of the prison."

Li Ya replied.

"Gu Youniu is the groom of Chen Qiuping from the Sixth Section of Border Defense."

"He personally witnessed Chen Qiuping meet with disaster while rushing to Jinhai to report back to the Social Bureau, and he attended her memorial service."

"Moreover, he was once entrusted by Chen Qiuping to deliver a letter to Yixian, and he met the Mobile Corps Commander captain Chen Taohua."

"That is, Mrs. Yu."

"Letters!"

"Documents!"

"The witnesses are all here; Station Chief, you should believe it this time, right?"

Li Ya said, lifting his chin with confident flair.

"Captain Li, let's not be in such a hurry to reach a conclusion."

"I would like to ask, is your intelligence reliable? Where did you buy it—the black market, the Red Ticket, or was it provided by Headquarters or the Sanqing Corps?"

Yu Zecheng stood up and asked.

"Where the intelligence comes from is not important."

"It has signatures and seals on it; these are the originals."

"It is naturally reliable," Li Ya smiled.

"Understood. It has signatures and seals, so it is reliable."

Yu Zecheng nodded and sat back in his chair:

"Station Chief, I have no more questions; the interrogation may continue."

"Li Ya, you continue," Wu Jingzhong said.

"Gu Youniu, speak up.

"Who is the person in this photograph, and what is her relationship with Mrs. Yu?"

Li Ya held up the photograph and ordered with a smile.

Gu Youniu leaned in close, stared at the photograph with wide eyes, and then let his gaze wander back and forth between the Station Chief and the others, stammering slightly.

"The Bureau of Investigation and Statistics will not treat any informant unfairly; speak boldly and without fear.

"The Station Chief will back you up.

"Is the person in the photograph Chen Qiuping of the Sixth Section of the Border Defense?"

Lu Qiaoshan smiled and prompted.

"This..." Gu Youniu glanced at Li Ya, his lips trembling.

"Speak up, then." Seeing him stalling, Li Ya grew somewhat angry.

"Yes, yes, I'll speak."

Gu Youniu raised his head and said to Wu Jingzhong with a fearful expression:

"Great Officer, this... I don't know this woman!"

Gu Youniu kept his head lowered, looking terrified.

"You, what did you say?" Li Ya thought he had misheard.

"Captain Li, she, she is not Chen Qiuping," Gu Youniu said, pointing at the photograph.

"Damn it, are you playing me?"

Li Ya snapped back to reality and grabbed Gu Youniu.

"You don't know her?

"Li Ya, what is going on here?" Wu Jingzhong asked, frowning.

Even Hong Zhiyou was filled with astonishment.

He knew that Zhou Li had guaranteed he would get the person handled.

Yet Li Ya had brought Gu Youniu back.

He had once thought that Zhou Li was just a bum who handled things poorly.

Now it seemed he had been hiding something; there was another hidden story here.

"Weren't you the one who led the horse for Chen Qiuping? In the car, you even said you knew Chen Qiuping.

"Gu Youniu, you better be honest with me.

"Otherwise, I will execute you."

Li Ya grabbed him by the collar, furious.

"Captain Li, watch your tone; do not intimidate or coerce the witness.

"The Station Chief is still here.

"And there are so many pairs of eyes watching."

Lu Qiaoshan reminded him coldly.

"I did lead the horse for Chen Qiuping.

"But, but this person is truly not Chen Qiuping.

"Captain Li, I am an honest man, and you are my savior; I cannot tell lies with my eyes open."

Gu Youniu stammered, looking distressed.

"You are telling lies with your eyes open right now.

"This photograph is intelligence I obtained from Shanbei; it is undoubtedly Chen Qiuping of the Sixth Section of the Border Defense.

"Are you playing me, kid?"

Li Ya grabbed his collar and growled coldly.

"I, I didn't.

"Really, Chen Qiuping has an oval face and is much better looking than her.

"Honorable officers, I swear to the heavens, Chen Qiuping really does not look like this."

Gu Youniu was terrified and on the verge of tears.

"Captain Li.

"Could it be that there is a problem with your intelligence?" Wu Jingzhong asked with a frown.

"Station Chief, after the Yancheng headquarters organization relocated, the situation there was quite chaotic; it is not impossible for Captain Li to have made a mistake.

"Or perhaps the person Captain Li found was not professional?"

Lu Qiaoshan adjusted his glasses and analyzed the situation solemnly.

"Impossible.

"Absolutely impossible!

"My investigation this time was flawless, with no loopholes.

"It is him, he is going back on his word at the last minute.

"He is deliberately making excuses to cover for Wang Cuiping.

"You bastard, what exactly are you doing?"

Li Ya's eyes widened as he stared fixedly at Gu Youniu.

"Officer..." Gu Youniu retreated in fear and collapsed onto the ground.

"Station Chief, Captain Li is... getting anxious.

"With this method of interrogation, I fear Gu Youniu will be unable to speak." Lu Qiaoshan shook his head with a light laugh and turned to Wu Jingzhong.

"Li Ya, sit down first.

"Qiaoshan, you ask the questions."

Wu Jingzhong glared at Li Ya and ordered.

"Yes, Station Chief."

Lu Qiaoshan sat up straight, stared at Gu Youniu, and began with professional precision:

"Gu Youniu, Captain Li says you once delivered a letter to Yixian on behalf of Chen Qiuping?"

"Yes."

The fake smile and the gentle, low voice made Gu Youniu relax slightly.

"What is Chen Qiuping's older sister's name?" Lu Qiaoshan continued to ask.

"Chen Taohua."

"Is she the Mobile Corps Commander leader of the Third Battalion in Yixian?"

"Yes.

"When I went into the mountains, Captain Chen even treated me to a flatbread." Gu Youniu nodded.

"That makes it simple.

"This lady is named Wang Cuiping, and Captain Li identifies her as Chen Qiuping's sister, Chen Taohua.

"Come closer and look clearly; is it her?"

Lu Qiaoshan pulled his chair and leaned forward, pointing at Cuiping.

Gu Youniu turned his head, took one look, and shook his head:

"No.

"This big sister is not Captain Chen, and she doesn't look like Chen Qiuping either."

"Understood."

Lu Qiaoshan nodded and leaned back:

"Station Chief, the situation is very clear.

"Captain Li identified the wrong person.

"Or rather, his source of intelligence was not precise, which led to this error.

"Captain Li, the travel expenses for this trip to Xi'an, costing over a hundred silver dollars, were not cheap; don't forget to ask Deputy Station Chief Yu for reimbursement."

He did not forget to add a warm reminder.

"I am at your service at any time," Yu Zecheng said with a squinting smile.

"Li Ya, do you have any supplementary evidence?" Wu Jingzhong looked at Li Ya.

"Station Chief, I have nothing to say."

Li Ya grabbed the suit jacket from the back of the chair and gave a lonely, cold laugh.

Gu Youniu's betrayal had turned him into a laughingstock.

He knew that saying anything now was useless.

"You just wait."

Li Ya's eyes were slightly red as he stared fixedly at Gu Youniu, the cold words forced through his teeth.

After speaking, he turned and left.

"Captain Li, wait a moment."

Yu Zecheng raised his hand to block Li Ya's path.

"What advice does Deputy Station Chief Yu have for me?" Li Ya said coldly.

"I know you are one of Jianfeng's men.

"Even a common man, when enraged, will splatter blood five paces away; you humiliated my wife without concrete evidence, so there must be an explanation for this."

Yu Zecheng drew his pistol and aimed it at Li Ya with an expressionless face.

Li Ya curled his lip, stood proudly, and did not answer.

"Old Yu, this is an internal investigation.

"We haven't even hooked up the electricity or used the torture instruments yet, have we?

"There's no need for this, really no need."

Lu Qiaoshan fanned the flames from the side.

"No need?

"Old Lu, if it were your wife sitting there, would you still say there's no need?" Yu Zecheng retorted.

"You arrest people whenever you want.

"If it weren't for Baoxing having a conscience and following the rules, who knows what would have happened to Cuiping by now.

"You have no evidence whatsoever.

"You beat someone half to death, then just say it's an internal investigation.

"Station Chief, everyone, is this how an internal investigation is conducted?

"This is too rampant."

Yu Zecheng was trembling all over with rage.

"There must be an explanation for this today."

As he spoke, he flicked the safety catch down with his thumb and his finger hooked onto the trigger.

"Zecheng, calm down.

"Li Ya's methods were excessive, but his starting point was based on the surveillance rules of the Confidentiality Bureau; don't be impulsive, don't do something that will ruin your own future."

Wu Jingzhong also stood up to persuade him.

"Station Chief, I cannot calm down.

"Captain Li has been targeting me for more than a day or two; if there is no explanation for today's matter, I cannot let this go.

"Trading a Lieutenant Colonel for a Colonel is not a loss."

Yu Zecheng stared at Li Ya and began to smile grimly, revealing his white teeth.

As he spoke.

His finger jerked the trigger.

Hong Zhiyou, who was closest, was quick-witted and fast-handed, and he shoved his hand upward.

Bang!

The bullet rang in the sealed room, leaving everyone's ears buzzing.

Everyone was terrified to the core.

This shot had grazed Li Ya's scalp and shot directly into the door frame opposite.

If Hong Zhiyou had been half a second late.

Li Ya's head would likely have been blown open.

No one expected that Yu Zecheng, who was usually so refined, would be this fierce.

Having missed the shot, Yu Zecheng still wanted to fire again.

Wu Jingzhong shouted angrily:

"What are you still standing there for? Quickly take his gun."

"Don't any of you stop me.

"Today, either he or I must die."

Yu Zecheng struggled violently, still trying to fire.

Hong Zhiyou held the gun down firmly.

Bang, bang!

Two more shots hit the ceiling.

"Old Yu, don't be impulsive."

"I, damn it, today..."

Before Yu Zecheng could finish his sentence, Cuiping delivered a hand-blade strike to the back of his neck.

His eyes rolled back, and he fell straight down.

"My man is fierce; next time you want to arrest me, weigh how much your own life is worth first," Cuiping and Hong Zhiyou said coldly to Li Ya as they helped Yu Zecheng up.

Li Ya looked up at the bullet hole in the ceiling, his lips twitched, and he said nothing.

"Li Ya.

"Don't forget to ask Deputy Station Chief Yu to reimburse your travel expenses."

Lu Qiaoshan patted him on the shoulder and walked away with a smile.

"Gu Youniu, come with me!"

He took Gu Youniu away while he was at it, to save Li Ya from silencing him.

Soon, only Wu Jingzhong remained in the interrogation room.

"Station Chief, I messed up the job again," Li Ya said, shrugging.

"I told you long ago, you must have ironclad evidence.

"Look at you now; you didn't find anything, and you ended up looking like a fool.

"You almost lost your life."

Wu Jingzhong sighed softly and said.

"Teacher.

"My direction was not wrong.

"I have never feared death. The Reds have their faith, and I have my principles.

"I dared to smash Xie Ruo's pot and dared to arrest Wang Cuiping, so I never considered life or death.

"Regarding catching Reds, I will never compromise, just like my mentor."

Li Ya's pride had not faded from his eyes as he said this calmly.

"No wonder you were able to join the Iron and Blood Youth Corps.

"You are indeed iron-blooded enough.

"Take some time to apologize to Zecheng; you are colleagues after all, so ease things up a bit—you still have to work together in the future."

Wu Jingzhong stood up and said.

"Understood.

"But this is not over; I will not let go.

"Yixian is so big, I don't believe I can't find someone who can prove she is a Red," Li Ya said with a firm gaze, without the slightest wavering.

"I will say it again.

"Investigate, fine.

"You must have evidence that nails the person down," Wu Jingzhong nodded.

"Teacher, I would like to interrogate this Gu Youniu again," Li Ya said.

"Let him go.

"Hand him over to Zecheng to handle; it can be considered a way to ease your relationship.

"If you keep interrogating him, Deputy Station Chief Yu will think you are targeting him, and next time he fires, no one will be there to stop him.

"You know, even a rabbit will bite when it's desperate.

"It would be fine if you found something.

"If you don't find anything, it's not worth it for them to risk their lives with you.

"What is the point of joining the revolution? Isn't it to be loyal to the leader and, incidentally, to live a good life? You have to be alive for both of those things.

"There is still a long road ahead, take it slow.

"Look at how Lu Qiaoshan was being sarcastic today; he is watching your show. Once Yu Zecheng's dismissal document comes down, you need to focus your energy on the Deputy Station Chief position.

"This is also Jianfeng's intention."

Wu Jingzhong nudged him and said.

"Fine.

"Then I will let them off for now," Li Ya said.

"Go.

"You go personally to Lu Qiaoshan to pick up the person and hand him over to Yu Zecheng, and by the way, reimburse the train ticket money; train tickets aren't cheap these days," Wu Jingzhong said with a smile.

"Thank you, Teacher," Li Ya smiled and walked out.

Intelligence Division.

Lu Qiaoshan poured a cup of water for Gu Youniu, his tone very friendly:

"Youniu.

"With me here, you don't need to be afraid."

"Tell me, did someone teach you to say that, or do you really not know Wang Cuiping?"

Gu Youniu held his water cup and nodded honestly, saying, "Officer, I really don't know the person in the photo."

As soon as he spoke, Lu Qiaoshan's expression immediately turned sinister:

"Do you think I'm Li Ya, someone so easily fooled?"

"The person in the photo is Chen Cuiping; if Wang Cuiping wasn't her sister and didn't look so much like her, why would the Red Ticket organization have sent her to carry out the mission?"

"If you don't tell the truth, do you believe I'll tear your mouth apart?"

"Officer, I'm really not lying to you, I truly haven't seen her..." Gu Youniu said with a mournful face, almost ready to kneel to Lu Qiaoshan.

"Fine, keep pretending." Lu Qiaoshan flicked his fingers and did not dig any deeper.

Yu Zecheng had already handed over the position of Deputy Station Chief.

And this person had no business dealings.

He could not yet be considered his own enemy.

The position of Deputy Station Chief was hanging right over his head; he had to concentrate his energy on dealing with Li Ya and secure the post.

Furthermore, considering the ruthless way Old Yu had drawn his gun on Li Ya, there was no need for him to provoke Yu Zecheng at this time.

"Division Chief Lu."

Just as he was speaking, Li Ya walked in.

"Captain Li, is something the matter?" Lu Qiaoshan asked with a smile.

"I am taking this person away," Li Ya said.

"That wouldn't be very good, would it?"

"Aren't you afraid Old Yu will really blow your head off?"

"Why not hand him over to me and the Inspection Team, so he doesn't get in your way?"

Lu Qiaoshan laughed.

"No need."

"The Station Chief has ordered that the person be handed over to Deputy Station Chief Yu."

"Gu Youniu, come with me," Li Ya said.

He was also feeling a bit dizzy now.

Gu Youniu's demeanor and performance did not look like he was pretending.

It seemed he really did not know the person in the photo.

What was even more annoying was that he had gone to Nankai last night, and Tang Dachun and his wife, along with the radio, had actually vanished.

Tang Dachun loved to engage in petty theft back in Yancheng.

His character could be described as base.

Whether this photo was truly obtained by the Butcher was still a question.

Also, he had a shadow over this whole photo business.

Last time on the train.

He had never even shaken hands with Okamura.

Yet, as if by some ghostly intervention, it had been published in the papers.

What if this photo was also something someone had deliberately fabricated?

That idiot Tang Dachun was always complaining that the funds he provided weren't enough; he was capable of such underhanded tricks.

Of course.

The main thing was that Li Ya did not want to light the powder keg that was Yu Zecheng.

He said he wasn't afraid of death.

But those few shots had still broken him out in a cold sweat.

Yu Zecheng was no simple man.

Someone who came out of the Qingpu Class would not be simple either.

He had dared to assassinate Li Haifeng all by himself.

If he were truly pushed to the edge, shooting him was not something he wouldn't do.

Plus, Lu Qiaoshan's sinister and weird attitude made Li Ya instantly a hundred times more sober.

Jiang Jianfeng had indeed given instructions to ensure he sat in the position of Deputy Station Chief, laying the foundation for completely controlling the Jinhai Station in the future.

He had to slow down and save some energy to deal with Lu Qiaoshan.

Of course, there were benefits to handing over Gu Youniu.

He wanted to see how Yu Zecheng would handle this person.

If he didn't handle it well, that in itself would be a flaw.

Thinking of this, Li Ya lifted his chin and walked out with a cold sneer.

(End of chapter)